Criminal Defense Attorneys
Oliver Bell Group Defends Clients throughout Michigan & Nationwide
Being accused of a crime can derail your entire life. Depending on the seriousness of the charge, you could be faced with probation, fines, or even prison time. You may have your driver's license revoked, lose your job, or have to register as a sex offender. In short, you need a good attorney to help you face those charges.
At the Oliver Bell Group, we make criminal defense a cornerstone of our practice. Our firm's founder, Alyson Oliver, is a highly regarded criminal defense lawyer with years of trial experience and a 90% win rate. We understand the intricacies of the courts in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County and are committed to fighting for your legal rights and pushing for dismissal or a not guilty verdict at trial.
Give us a call for a free consultation.
What Are Your Rights After an Arrest?
It’s important to remember that if you’ve been arrested, you have rights that need to be read to you if authorities want to question you and use your answers as evidence at trial. Known as the Miranda warning, if these rights aren’t read to you before questioning, authorities are not allowed to use anything you might say as evidence.
Your rights consist of:
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The right to remain silent
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Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law
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The right to consult with a lawyer and have the lawyer present during questioning
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If you can’t afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you
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If you choose to speak with the police officer, you have the right to stop the interview at any time
Until you have a chance to hire a criminal defense lawyer, it’s recommended that you remain silent. While authorities can legally question you, you can legally say “I claim my Miranda rights” and then refuse to speak. Answering a question can cause you to say something you may regret.
How Does an Arrested Person Obtain Freedom?
After an arrest, the only way for an individual to obtain freedom is if the government dismisses charges against them, or if the individual abides by the legal procedures needed.
Legal procedures suspects can follow to achieve freedom include:
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Being released on bail
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Being released based on recognizance (known as “release O.R.”)
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Proving innocence with the help of a lawyer
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Entering a plea bargain that allows release from custody
A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for having one or more charges dropped, having an offense reduced, or being recommended for a specific sentence to the judge. Many individuals feel compelled to take plea bargains due to the amount of time criminal trials take, as well as their unpredictability.
More than 90% of convictions come from negotiated pleas, resulting in less than 10% of criminal cases that go to trial. Many states have specific rules that dictate how plea bargains should be arranged and accepted by the court.
Does a No-Contest Plea Go on My Criminal Record?
All plea bargains approved by the judge result in a criminal conviction, which means that the conviction will show up on the defendant’s criminal record. However, depending on the nature of the conviction, the defendant could eventually expunge their criminal record.
Criminal Defense Cases We Handle
In our criminal defense practice, we have successfully defended clients against a broad range of charges in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, and elsewhere.
Some of our most common cases include:
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OWI/DUI
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Theft and larceny
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Sex crimes
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Domestic violence
We are committed to understanding the details of your case, taking prompt and decisive action, and exploring every legal option to dismiss the charges or help you face a lower penalty.
How Our Team Can Help
When you’ve been arrested, you want to hire a criminal defense attorney who has the experience needed to save you money and protect your future. The average person doesn’t understand the intricacies of the legal system like a trained and seasoned attorney does.
Our team has years of combined experience and offers the following benefits:
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We understand the judicial system: With more than 20 years in the courtroom, we can simplify the complicated legal process by giving you a step-by-step guide into how court proceedings work.
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We’ve worked on cases similar to yours: We’ve served thousands of clients and have a record of demonstrated success. Our priority is your well-being. We use our knowledge, resources, and skills to achieve your desired results.
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We can advise you on possible outcomes: Some criminal attorneys may give you false information and hope throughout your proceedings. Our team strives to be upfront and honest with you from the initial consultation. We understand the consequences you may face and can advise you on the steps you should take in your case.
When you work with us, you can expect to be treated with respect and without judgment and to have your case taken seriously.
If you've been accused of a crime, the stakes are high, as you might be facing fines and jail time in addition to the social and professional consequences of being a convicted criminal. Attorney Cameron Bell and her team have extensive courtroom experience and we are prepared to advocate for you with integrity.
Call or send us a message for a free consultation with the Oliver Bell Group legal team. We represent claims across Michigan in cities included but not limited to; Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Criminal Law FAQ's
Q: Are you retainers refundable?
A: Generally yes, depending on the type of case.
Q: Have you had success in getting individuals removed from the Sex Offender Registry?
A: Yes, we have had success in getting registrants obligations to register lifted in several counties throughout the State of Michigan.
Q: Do you handle expungements?
A: Yes, we have had success getting client’s records expunged in multiple District/Circuit Courts throughout the State of Michigan.
Q: If I live in another state, but was convicted of a registrable offense here in Michigan and have served my 25 years, how do I go about getting my registration requirements removed in the state I currently reside in?
A: There’s several ways this question can be answered, but it presents a conflict of laws issue in some instances that may require an experienced attorney to gather the proper information to determine how an Order from a Michigan Court would affect your registration requirements. Give our office a call to discuss further.
